10 Great reasons to visit Cabo in summer!

There’s no bad time to visit Los Cabos.

That’s a fact that hasn’t escaped the Hollywood A-list.

Jennifer Aniston’s a regular. George Clooney and Cindy Crawford once co-owned a place there.

And and a clutch of other celebrities from Will Smith to the Kardashians also dig Cabo’s chill vibe.

We’ve also visited Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, dozens of times – and at different times throughout the year – enjoying umpteen fun things to do in Cabo.

So what’s Cabo in summer like? Read on, because here’s the insider scoop!

Why you should visit Cabo in summer

Winter is the high season in Cabo San Lucas.

That’s when many Canadians and Americans shivering in the cold want to escape their winters.

Quite understandable! We’ve spent many a Christmas holiday with family down in Los Cabos.

But if you can’t get away in winter – or choose to vacay between late spring and fall – you’ll find many great reasons to visit Cabo San Lucas off-season.

Here now are 10 reasons why a summer vacation in Cabo San Lucas is a brilliant idea:

1) The weather in Cabo in summer is great!

The summer weather in Cabo is lovely and hot – in contrast to winter.

Winter weather in Cabo:

What many people don’t realize is that winter in Cabo isn’t super hot.

The first time we visited Cabo for a sun-and-sand holiday in winter, we thought it would be nice and hot like Zihuatanejo or the Caribbean. We only packed beach sandals and summery clothes. Bad decision. When the sun set, we were cold!

From mid-December to February, you need to bring warmer clothes – jeans or long pants, closed-toe shoes and a jacket or sweater – as evenings are often cool.

Don’t get us wrong. You’ll still do lots of sunning on your pool or beach chair.

The average daily high in winter is around 76 to 80 F (25 to 27 C). But you can get coolish days of around 68 F (20 C) too.

The average low in January is 53 F (12 C).

At night, you most often will want to sit under a heat lamp or blanket if eating outside.

Cabo summer weather:

Now, summer in Cabo is a different story.

A summer holiday will feel much more like a Hawaii or Caribbean holiday. Days are sunny and hot, and you can ditch the jacket and long pants.

If we’re looking at the summer months – from May to October (we’re being generous in our definition of “summer”) – then May through mid-July and then later in October are the best summer weather months in Cabo.

Be aware that August and September are very humid, as well as hot. Most of the rain falls in these two months (September is the rainiest month).

A lot of resorts do their maintenance in September too.

If you’re looking for good weather, August and September are hot and sticky months, so they’re not the best times to visit Cabo.

Cabo San Lucas hurricane season:

The hurricane season in Cabo is technically June through October.

But Cabo usually only gets tropical storms during the hurricane season. And most of the rainy days occur in September.

Occasionally, though, hurricanes make landfall. (Hurricane Odile – the worst hurricane in Cabo – hit in September, 2014.)

2) The beaches are hot

The beaches in Cabo San Lucas are one of its greatest draws.

Cabo beaches – water temps in Cabo in winter:

But as with the weather, many people are surprised to learn that the water in Cabo can be a tad cool for swimming in winter.

It averages about 73 F/23 C but can get as cold as 64 F (17 C). March has the lowest water temperature, averaging about 70 F (20 C).

Oh, you’ll always see people in the water in winter.

But sometimes, all we want to do in January is dash in, splash about for a while, then get out. And we do our ocean swimming around noon, when the sun is the hottest.

Summer water temps in Cabo:

But summer? Now we’re talking warm sea water!

If you love water activities (in warm water!), then, honestly, summer in Cabo is better than winter.

Favorite beaches:

The once-hidden cove and striking rock formations around the iconic Arch make this a must for any visitor. Who doesn’t like to gaze at striking views as they top up their tan?

Better yet, combine two fun activities.

Rent a kayak or SUP board and paddle over to Lover’s Beach from Medano Beach.

Water taxis from the Cabo San Lucas Marina or Medano Beach are the easy option.

3) The Cabo turtles arrive!

Summer in Cabo heralds the arrival of thousands of sea turtles on the beaches.

The Baja Peninsula is home to endangered Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Green Turtle and Olive Ridley turtles. (Olive Ridley turtles are the most common.)

Starting in late August, the female sea turtles come ashore from the Sea of Cortez to lay their eggs in the sand on the beaches. Then they return to the sea.

About 45 days later, the eggs hatch and baby turtles emerge.

Their job is to try and make it to the sea alive and swim away. As nature would have it, only a few of these tiny hatchlings manage to do that.

Several resorts support sea turtle conservation projects.

You can participate in a tour, led by a certified guide, where you help release the baby sea turtles to the sea. This is truly a heart-warming activity – families with children especially love it.

4) Snorkeling and diving Cabo San Lucas in summer is awesome

The snorkeling and scuba diving is also better in Cabo in summer than in winter.

We already mentioned that the waters off Los Cabos are at their warmest from July until October (and through to mid-November). See the chart on Cabo water temperatures under #2 above.

During this period, visibility steadily increases. In winter, the viz is about 40 feet, but extends to up to 100 feet come October. As a consequence, many snorkelers and divers prefer the months of October and November.

We had an unbelievable time scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas in late October. In Cabo Pulmo, the highlight was seeing bull and tiger sharks.

The whale shark season starts in October too, so this is a great time to snorkel with whale sharks in La Paz.

Also keep an eye out for flying manta rays in May.

5) The surfing is swell

June to August is the best time to visit Los Cabos for surfing. That’s when the Southern Hemisphere swells roll in, bringing consistent waves to both shores of the Baja Peninsula.

Make your way to beaches like Zippers and La Roca, where competitions draw out the pros and wannabes can grab a lesson on the sand.

6) The fishing in Cabo San Lucas is epic

The Cabo sportfishing season lasts throughout the year. So long as you’re not too fussy about what you catch, you have an almost guaranteed chance of landing something any time of year.

But the summer months are particularly hot months for fishing in Los Cabos (pun intended).

Tuna and snapper:

Tuna bite from June to January and snapper from May to September.

Marlin fishing in Cabo:

The best time to visit Cabo for marlin fishing is September to January. The big fish start to arrive in late August, increasing in September.

You may get lucky and fight with giant billfish. It’s common to reel in both black and blue marlin weighing 300 lbs and more.

Some reports say that the biggest billfish ever caught off Cabo San Lucas was a whopping 1,214-lb blue marlin in 2011. (Others say it was a “mere” 972 lbs.)

The absolute best month in Cabo for fishing? October.

Bisbee’s Black and Blue:

If you’re serious, you can time your visit in October to coincide with the 5-day Bisbee’s Black and Blue competition, one of the world’s greatest fishing tournaments.

Millions of dollars are up for grabs. In 2006, the prize money totaled $4,165,960 – the biggest payout in sportfishing history.

Join the crowd and watch as the fish are weighed in front of the Puerto Paraiso entertainment plaza.

7) The food is always good

Baja California’s signature dishes originate from the northern end of the peninsula but have migrated south.

Puerto Nuevo is closely associated with lobster (it has 30+ lobster restaurants). And one of the fun facts about Mexican food is that Caesar Cardini invented Caesar salad in Tijuana.

Tijuana is also said to be where the first margaritas were concocted (though it could have been in Ensenada at Hussong’s Cantina – the margarita legend is mixed!).

But the whole area, Cabo included, is well-known for its fish tacos. That’s hardly a surprise given its proximity to the sea.

And fine dining – whether you call it Baja Med or Cali Baja – is the antithesis of the popular seafood tostadas, Cabo’s street food hero.

But both shine, thanks to their reliance on fresh local ingredients. 

One particular restaurant you must not miss is Flora Farms, known for its excellent farm-to-table dining. (Their cocktails are lovely and creative too! Try the Farmarita, made with heirloom carrot juice.)

8) There are fewer visitors in summer

After the winter high season, Spring Break and the Easter Holiday, Cabo heads into its shoulder season in May – and you’ll encounter fewer crowds.

May and early June and then October (and early November) are blissful months for quiet beaches. You don’t have to contend with vying for beach chairs, getting restaurant reservations or booking activities – they’re all easily available.

Mid-June to July (and even August) are popular times for family travel, so these months aren’t quite as calm.

9) Summer in Cabo is a good time for families

A great time for family travel to Cabo is June (after school has ended) and July.

And what better way to enjoy your summer vacation than on the beach! Give kids a pool and a beach, and they’ll be happy holiday-goers. And as all parents know, if your kids are content, you’ll be content too.

10) Resort rates are lower and accommodations are easier to book

In winter, it can be hard getting into the resorts you want. (For the Christmas and New Year holidays, you often have to book a year in advance.)

Not so in summer. You’ll find it much easier to make reservations for stays anywhere in May through to October. Rates at hotels and resorts are also much more reasonable in the summer months.

Best time to go to Cabo by month

So now you know Cabo in summer is a great time to go!

Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of what it’s like in Cabo between May and October.

Cabo in May:

May is one of the best times to visit Cabo.

May is the driest month, with no rain and full-on sunshine. Days are pleasantly hot.

The water is starting to heat up, and with the warmer weather, you’ll be happy to spend time on the beach and cooling off in the water.

The winter crowds have also gone, so resort rates are lower. You’ll find it easy to book accommodation, and restaurant reservations will be easy to get.

All of this makes May a great month for a destination wedding in Cabo too.

Cabo in June:

The weather heats up more in June – into the high 80s F (30 C). It’s still nice and dry (it starts to get humid later in the month), with mostly clear sunny days, and the summer rains haven’t yet hit.

The best things to do in Cabo San Lucas in June include beaching and swimming (of course!), jet-skiing and surfing.

Cabo in July:

Surfers! July is the perfect time for you to visit Los Cabos. The water is warm, the weather is hot and the Sea of Cortez surf spots are swell magnets for riding the waves.

Also, now that the kids are out of school, early July, in particular, is perfect for a summer family vacation by the beach.

Cabo in August:

It’s muy caliente (piping hot!) in Cabo, with temps getting up to the mid-90s F (low to mid-30s C). The humidity is at 70% or more – and that makes it feel even hotter.

But if you like your days hot (and your drinks cold), August is a prime time for snagging super deals on resort rates. The surfing is awesome, and it’s also the beginning of the sea turtle season.

As for fishing, August sees some of the best dorado, red snapper and rooster fishing. The big sailfish start to bite too.

Cabo in September:

September is sizzling hot – and the “rainy season.” If you want to avoid the crowds, this is the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas! You can snag great resort deals too. (Note that some restaurants may be closed because it’s so quiet.)

What to do in Cabo in September? Swim, snorkel and chill by the pool. Because you won’t feel like doing too much else, an all-inclusive resort is a good idea this month.

If you’re into fishing, however, September is a great month – indeed, it’s one of the best months to go to Cabo for deep sea fishing. You’ll have great opps to chase Blue marlin, black marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado.

Cabo in October:

In late October, the weather is almost perfect. Humidity drops, but it still feels like you’re enjoying a tropical vacation (not a desert-weather holiday).

And it’s not yet busy in Cabo – the American Thanksgiving holiday crowds and winter visitors haven’t yet arrived.

Snorkeling and especially scuba diving are among the prime things to do in Cabo San Lucas in October.

The sea is the warmest, and 100-ft visibility means you have panoramic views of the brightly colored reef fish, sea turtles, rays (and maybe even sharks!) sharing the water with you.

The fishing is also some of the best in October. Go after whopping marlin – and share in the excitement of the world-famous Bisbee tournament.

Late October (and early November) is the best time to go to Cabo San Lucas for water sports and pleasant holiday weather.

So, how would you like to spend your summer in Cabo?

Actually, it always feels like summer in Los Cabos (even in winter). But as you hopefully know now, there are many pluses to vacationing in Cabo in summer!

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Disclosure: This post has been supported by and written in collaboration with Kaloyan Valentino Danchev, founder of Fidelis Marketing Group. But we agree that visiting Cabo in summer is a great idea! (Just be aware of the humidity in August – and maybe don’t go in September if you don’t like it steamy.)

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